Judge makes tough, but right, decision with Mickey the pit bull

Full disclosure: My wife and I own two pit bull mixes and are and have been involved with pit bull rescue and adoption groups.

Judge Deborah Griffith had a tough decision to make Tuesday. Mickey the pit bull attacked a four-year old boy last month, crushing the boy’s eye socket and jaw.

This story set off a firestorm of controversy on social media to the point where people created a Save Mickey Facebook page and excoriated anyone on Twitter who suggested that pit bulls (as a breed) are too dangerous to have as pets, Mickey could never be rehabilitated, etc.

The judge had two options: Save Mickey’s life or euthanize the animal. Either way, her decision would cause consternation and anger depending on which side of the debate you’re on.

Judge Griffith chose to spare the dog. But as she pointed out, her job is to protect the public. So she ordered the dog be de-fanged, neutered and never be allowed to be adopted out to a family or be in the public eye. She basically gave the dog life without parole, or as I like to say, “She pulled a King Solomon and split the baby.”

If the judge had ruled to euthanize Mickey, she would’ve only perpetuated and re-enforced the (wrongly) held stereotype that this breed had garnered in the last 20 years, which is not only unfortunate, but inaccurate and detrimental to all large breed, working-class dogs.

Now let’s focus on the little boy who needs more surgeries and care. Both sides win.